THE OUTCAST
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Somewhere in Arcadia – hidden far from sight, Zeus awakens on a stiff mattress on a large wooden bed. He immediately reaches for his throat, grasping at it in panic.
“You’re alive,” a gruff voice informs him. It belongs to the monster of a man from Uprising, who has long blonde hair and a mask.
Zeus sits up, his eyes widening.
“You?” He says in shock. He immediately swivels around on the bed and embraces the man who saved him.
The embrace isn’t returned.
In fact, the man pushes The Baron and his rare sharing of emotion away.
“You made me an outcast, a monster. The lies you spread about me have kept me hidden in obscurity and why? Because you were threatened?”
Zeus takes a deep breath and sits down.
“What should I have done?” The Baron questions. “Should I have killed you?”
The monster growls angrily.
“I wasn’t a threat. I’m not you,” he retorts.
He’s visibly angry and emotional, turning away.
“Hercules,” Zeus says carefully.
The man, presumably Hercules, snaps back.
“Don’t you fucking call me that!” He roars. The Baron immediately quiets, but the look on his face tells you he doesn’t like or isn’t used to be spoken to like that. “I’m not your son anymore. When you banished me from the House of Sovereigns and told Arcadia those lies, you demolished any relationship we had. I’m now The Outcast.”
There’s an eerie pause. Zeus doesn’t know what to say, but then it dawns on him.
“Then why?” He demands to know. “Why did you save me?”
Outcast turns to look at him, a wry smile creeping across his face.
“Because you’re the only one who can clear my name and in the process, prove to Arcadia that I’m a better leader than you.”
Cut.
It is time for Ring King action! In this first round bout, Aarman Fidel takes on El Mariachi Muerte!
DING! DING! El Mariachi Muerte sprints across the ring and nails a shotgun dropkick! That launches Fidel into the corner! Fidel is stunned from that immediate attack and Muerte quickly snatches him! WHISKEY LULLABY! Muerte nails the overhead belly to belly suplex! Muerte goes for a quick cover! ONE! … TW-No! Fidel gets a shoulder up!
Muerte quickly pulls him and wraps his arms around Fidel! WHISKEY LULLABY! No! Fidel front flips out of it and lands on his feet! Superkick to the back of the head sends Muerte to the middle rope prone for an attack! Fidel quickly charges and nails a crossbows that sandwiches Muerte between him and the ropes!
Fidel covers! ONE! … TWO! … THR-NO! Muerte gets the shoulder up! Fidel gets up and backs into the corner! He’s calling for Muerte to get up! Muerte uses the ropes to pull himself up and Fidel sprints! AAROW OF GREED AND DESIRE! Spear! No! Knee strike from Muerte at the last second to counter it!
Muerte pulls a rose out of his jacket and it looks like he is ready to end this! Fidel pulls himself up and Muerte rakes the rose against Fidel’s eyes! The thorns temporarily blind him as Muerte pulls him in for the package piledriver! FADE TO BLACK! Muerte spikes him and covers quickly! No time for theatrics in this bout! ONE! … TWO! … THREE!
El Mariachi Muerte has done it and is onto the second round of Ring King!
WINNER AND ADVANCING: EL MARIACHI MUERTE
ASHES TO ASHES
The Mortuary.
Deep in the confines of the Mortuary, Tombstone and Igor Mortis stand beside a coffin that presumably contains Drewitt. It rests on a large metal tray that hangs from an incinerator.
“I do not like this, Igor,” Tombstone protests.
The Mortician simply shrugs his shoulders.
“There’s a method to this madness, son,” he reminds him with a knowing nod.
Suddenly, Drewitt can be heard kicking and screaming from within the coffin, banging on the lid ferociously.
It doesn’t budge.
It’s been nailed shut, with a large metal plate drilled atop it.
“Let me the fuck out!” He screams.
Tombstone sighs. He’s not happy.
“This is gonna hurt, boyo,” Igor says to Drewitt, pushing his face to the side of the coffin. “You’re gonna feel every ounce of this. I’m sorry about that, but there’s no other way.”
“Tombstone,” Drewitt calls out, ignoring Igor. “Please, don’t do this.”
The Ferryman looks troubled.
He turns to Igor with a wanting face, hoping that they’ll change their plans.
“I know what we must do, but this is barbaric,” he says angrily. “You’re going to burn him alive, Igor. Whether he comes back or not, he’s going to suffer.”
Igor walks over to the machine and presses the button, watching as the retractable tray slides backwards into he incinerator. When it’s inside, the door automatically closes.
“Press the button, son,” Mortis demands.
Drewitt screams are muted by the incinerator, but you can still hear them.
Tombstone doesn’t budge.
“Press the button!”
Reluctantly he walks over to the machine and places his hand over the large red start button that will ignite the flames.
“There must be another way,” he pleads.
Igor shakes his head.
“Press…. the…. button!!”
Click.
As the fire ignites, Drewitt’s screams roar throughout the flames. Igor carelessly walks away, leaving the reflection of Tombstone watching the fire through the glass door.
Cut.
Can the hunt for the Crown extinguish the Fire that burns for the throne? It is ring King Season and Luther Grim has drawn the Arcadian Mummy in the first round who will advance.
The bell rings and Grim launches his attack with a Clothesline, ducked by The Mummy. Grim turns around to be met with the MATCH STRIKER an STO leveling Luther Grim. TBM stays on task, heading to the Top Rope leaping off looking of the Elbow Drop – FIRE FROM THE – DODGED!
Luther rolls out of the getting to his feet as dazed Burned Man staggers to his and eats a Brogue Kick – BLOOD SPORT! The Hunter catches The Mummy before he falls hoisting him up in the Torture Rack – THE HARVEST! But The Burned Man takes a length of his own bandage wrapping it around the throat of Grim and chokes Luther until he releases his grip.
TBM comes down on his feet as Grim staggers away coughing and gagging. Burned Man sinches in and hits a Half-Nelson Suplex follow by another – ASHES TO ASHES! The Hunter staggers to his feet as The Mummy sees an opening looking for the Spinning Back Elbow – BACKDRAFT – DUCKED by Luther!
Grim spins TBM around looking pop-up Diving Powerbomb – TROPHY HUNT! Into the pin… ONE… TWO… KICK-OUT BY THE BURNED MAN! Grim enraged, pulls The Mummy back to his feet looking for the Powerbomb again but TBM puts fist to testicles with a Low Blow into the Pump Handle DVD – THE THIRD DEGREE. Into the Cover… ONE… TWO… THREE!
The Burned Man’s fire has consumed the Hunter’s trail to the crown, will he be able to continue blazing his own path to the throne?
WINNER AND ADVANCING: THE BURNED MAN
SWEET TOOTH
The Shark Tank.
In the pulse of night, the neon hues of the Shark Tank swim through the air.
Drexl, a shadow among the technicolor dreams, stands at the helm, as hard as the concrete his club rises from. He watches with a sardonic grin as his customers snort Arcadia’s finest blow and drink its finest brew.
A small man, looking shaken, slinks from the thrum of bodies, his face as pale as that blow.
“Boss,” he says, his voice quivering slightly. “We got problems.”
Drexl raises an eyebrow to the man, already tired of hearing from him.
“Out with it.”
“Some of the girls,” the man stammers. He takes a shaky breath, squares his shoulders. “It’s like they vanished into thin air.”
“So find more girls.” Drexl responds, finality in his voice. “See if Fidel has some pure stock available. We have some shared clientele.”
In the grime and grind of Arcadia, girls vanish all the time. Few dare to glance in their direction, let alone protest.
But the underling isn’t done with his report.
“It’s not a client issue, boss.”
Drexl’s eyebrow raises again. This has his attention.
“I mean, they ain’t leaving with customers. Just… gone. It’s made some of the other girls look elsewhere for employment.”
That sinks in. Drexl’s eyes have a wild glimmer in them.
“Someone’s sweet tooth is taking money out of my pocket” he says, the hint of curiosity lacing the statement.
A cruel smile sharp as a shark’s fin slices the air as his eyes scan the club until they settle on one particular girl entertaining a VIP party.
“Her.” He stands, the club’s cacophony pounding like a heartbeat at his back. “Pretty her up, dangle her like a piece of meat. Don’t tell her what you’re doing, just that it’s for me.”
He looks out towards the throng of vice-seekers. The tide of depravity rolls, oblivious to the undercurrents rising under Drexl’s icy watch.
“When they take her, and they will, track her ass down, understand?” Drexl throws out.
The man nods, only kind of understanding.
“I think we got some Blood Runners getting too close to the motherfucking sun.”
Cut.
Hacker meets Slum, God in this round of 16 match. One of these two will be advancing to the next round of Ring King. The other will be left to lick their wounds.
The Slum God locks up with Jinx, tossing her about the ring. He slams Jinx into the turnbuckle then unloads an AVALANCHE NECKBREAKER that plants her in the center of the ring. Grabbing her by the wrist, he flings her into the opposite corner and comes charging at her MARTYR! NO! JINX AVOIDS THE INCOMING CANNONBALL!
Jinx had rolled out of the ring, with Grimskull hitting nothing but steel. He’s up quickly but Jinx comes at him from behind. DDoS! DISCUS ELBOW TO THE BACK OF GRIM’S SKULL! The Preacher falls forward, into the ring ropes. JINX DASHES OFF THE ROPES AND HITS A CLOTHESLINE! BOTH TUMBLE OUT OF THE RING!
Jinx is first to her feet, pulling Grimskull up. She looks for an Irish Whip, but Grimskull resists. BAM! HEADBUTT FROM GRIMSKULL ROCKS JINX! He flings her back into the ring. Jinx comes at him looking for a LEAPING CROSS BODY! NO! SUPERKICK! LESSON TAKES HER OUT IN MID AIR!
Grimskull climbs the turnbuckle, scaling the heights and looking down upon Jinx as a king upon a peasant. Skull asmirk, Grim launches off the top rope. PRAYER! THE FLYING HEADBUTT! HE HITS IT CLEANLY! Grimskull wastes no time in pinning his victim. ONE! TWO! THREE!
The winner, advancing to the next round of Ring King… None other than the Slum God, Grimskull.
WINNER AND ADVANCING: GRIMSKULL
HELLFIRE
Deep in the heart of The Altar, there is silence, and darkness.
There’s a steady breathing, but other than that nothing.
Until suddenly…
…Vision sits bolt upright in his bed, the beads of sweat falling down his face illuminated by the dreary light that comes from the door that opens at one end of the room.
The gasp and heavy breathing that accompanied his sweating was enough to rouse the Third Eye member who was outside the door, placed there since Grimskull revealed the truth of their history, for his own safety.
“Vision?” comes the call from the door. “Is everything okay? Is he here?”
Vision tries to calm himself down
“I’m alone, no need to worry of an intruder,” he begins. “But…“
Vision falters.
“What is it, sir?”
He breathes in one big gulp of air.
“The Third Eye has brought another vision to me. Where last I saw blood, this time I saw much much worse.”
Vision stands from his bed.
“We must prepare, for the vision shows Grimskull angry, and he rains down upon us a hellfire, the likes of which we have never seen before. Grimskull stands above us, laughing, as we succumb to the heat of the hellfire he brings upon us. I do not know what this means, but I know we must find out his plans and thwart them.”
Vision leaves the room, intending to make a start on his research now, without a moment to lose.
Cut.
ANYTHING
The Eden Club.
This den of sin and depravity is seeped in the lust of its patrons. It is said that you can get anything here and it holds true as patrons file in and out taking part in the worst The Red Light District has to offer. However, amongst those wandering in and out of this terrible place, we find ourselves looking on at someone that is quite out of place.
The Burned Man.
Arcadia’s former hero pushes past a group of men, getting stares by the many people inside when they part, the familiar face of Aarman Fidel looks on with great interest. “Maxwell, I’m shocked to see you here. Looking to cure your… ailments? I’m sure I have something here that works.” He speaks with a blood chilling grin on his face.
“I’m not here for me Fidel. I’m here for something… More important.”
“More important than stopping the pain? More important than reclaiming that shining smile?” He chuckles. “Oh, I know what you’re here for, Mr. Rijen. You’re here about your son.” Fidel smirks, offering The Burned Man a seat at the bar, however Burned Man merely shakes his head.
“I’m not here because I want to be, Fidel. You know why I’m here, you can see the obvious. I’m looking for help finding Faith.”
“Don’t you have… Mr. Ramsey helping you with that? Unless I misunderstood what I witnessed last week.”
“He is helping,” Burned Man clears his throat, “but I need to be sure I can get James back.”
“I see. And what would you be willing to do for your boy, Maxwell?”
“Anything.”
“Anything? Follow me to my office, I think we’ll have plenty to talk about.”
Aarman walks back further into the club, and Burned Man follows behind, head hung low.
Cut.
Acadia is filled with nightmare beings and tonight these two will do battle in an attempt to continue a quest to be the King of Nightmares as The Cannibal takes on The Human Puppeteer, Scissor vs. Blacktooth who will advance in Ring King?
The bell rings and Scissors rushes is looking for a Clothesline but Blacktooth ducks and as Scissors turns around, he gets a face full of the Blood Mist – IRON PERFUME! Which has no effect as it The Marionettist mask and he just wipes it away before kicking The Cannibal in the gut.
The Master of Strings sets up Tooth Rot with the Double Underhook Piledriver dumping Blacktooth on his head with LITTLE MARY MURDER! Scissors then picks up the dazed Devil and sends him into the ropes looking for his signature Powerslam – A QUICK – INSIDE CRADLE COUNTER FOR THE COVER BY BLACKTOOTH! ONE… TWO… KICK-OUT BY SCISSORS!
Both men get to their feet, Blacktooth kicks Scissors in the gut with his dagger toed boot, looks to twist the blade with Enziguri – THE WASTELANDER – but Scissors ducks the kick removing the knife from his gut. Blacktooth lands on his feet though allowing The Master of Strings to hit a massive Powerslam – A QUICK SNIP!
Scissors looks to bring this home setting The Devil of the Wastes up for a Powerbomb but Blacktooth counters using the momentum to carry him into the air and allowing him to drive a Double Foot Stomp on the shoulders of The Marionettist – MODIFIED BLOOD RAIN! Blacktooth seeing the opening springboards off the middle rope Curb Stomp – DIRT NAP – NO! SCISSORS STANDS STRAIGHT UP USING THE MOMENTUM TO TOSS THE DEVIL HIGHER INTO THE AIR, AND HITTING A SNAP FULL NELSON SUPLEX IN ONE FLUID MOTION – CUT THE STRINGS – BRIDGING INTO THE COVER! ONE… TWO… THREE!
With a frightful counter, Scissors has managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and he’s moving on in the Ring King Tournament.
WINNER AND ADVANCING: SCISSORS
QUERY I
We cut backstage, where we find Colt Ramsey checking his camera in preparation of photos to snap tonight, likely to document what he hopes is a victory against Tombstone…but the Journo is interrupted by some footsteps approaching him from behind.
“Listen, Burnie, I promised I’d look into it, and I will just as soon as–oh.”
Ramsey stops himself the moment he turns around, seeing who–or rather, what–has approached him…TEC, staring rather blankly at the Journo, processing the statement that was made before Ramsey waves the comment off.
“Sorry, I guess I should’ve realized those footsteps were kind of heavy. What can I do ya for?”
TEC makes no further attempt to press on that process, instead focusing on the task at hand.
“Colt Ramsey, investigative reporter.”
Colt nods with a smirk.
“One and only.”
“I may have need of your assistance. Something has happened to my system, and I cannot seem to process precisely what that may be.”
This has Colt pondering exactly what could be the situation as he sets aside his camera for a moment, taking a good look at the Automaton for any indication of what to look for.
“Well, aside from some dents I don’t see much wrong with ya. Got anything I can follow up on?”
TEC gives a slow, mechanical nod in response.
“I have found myself being targeted by a known hacker recently, Jinx. There’s a logic that points to her as a person of interest, given her prior history and reputation.”
Colt gives something of a knowing nod in agreement.
“I’d say that tracks, alright. Tell you what, TEC Deck…I’ll look into Jinx, see what I can dig up on the ol’ Fatal Error. I’d tell you to get some rest, but uh…”
He just stares up and down the body of the Automaton, who responds with a blank, unnatural stare of its own before Colt picks his camera back up to make his leave. Off in the distance, away from prying eyes, are Narcissa Balenciaga with a smile on her face…and a much less enthused Jinx.
Cut.
MY PRECIOUS WAYS
Deathrow Wrestling.
In the cell of Jasper Redgrave, the aforementioned stands over a prisoner tied to a chair with rudimentary rope. He slowly carves into the man’s skin, stopping to listen to the screams with pleasure.
Just then, CJ Thorpe shows up.
“You wanted to see…” he says, his thought trailing off when he see’s what Redgrave has done.
He rushes over to the man, checking on him.
“What the fuck is this?” He demands to know.
Jasper smiles, cleaning his blade.
“You want to cause an Uprising in Deathrow,” he reminds the Deathrow Champion, walking over to him and stopping short with a smile. “You’ve gathered troops to that end, but you’re far off being ready for what’s necessary.”
Thorpe looks surprised.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” The Wolf queries.
Redgrave opens the palm of his hand and places the knife within it.
“Doing what’s needed to be done is the only way you overthrow Max Meadows and change this place. Take this knife and prove to me that when it comes to it, you can do what must be done.”
Thorpe thinks about it for a moment and then turns to the victim in the chair, debating his decision.
“What did he do?” He asks Jasper. “Why him?”
“He’s one of the officers guarding a very special prize; Amataga Tuga. He’s been torturing that poor fuck for weeks.”
That angers CJ, who puts the knife to the guards skin.
“Good man, let me know show you my precious ways,” Jasper says with a grin.
Cut.
The leader of the Uprising has a chance to put down a Nobody, as Narcissa Balenciaga takes on Harold Attano!
Both competitors seem to be on a mission as they start trading blows, with the bigger Attano starting to get the upper hand until Narcissa dodges a right hand. She hits the ropes for momentum, before nailing Nobody with a cross body that sends him down hard to the canvas!
But Attano quickly gets back to his feet, ready to keep on fighting…even as the Designer tries to blindside him with a swift kick! Attano narrowly evades, fighting back with some hard strikes before hitting the ropes…proceeding to connect with a running shotgun dropkick right to the knee! KNEE CAP!
Narcissa drops down, giving Attano to stay on the attack with some hard kicks to the chest of the Designer…before sending her down with a thrust kick! Attano goes for the cover! ONE! TWO–NO! Narcissa kicks out, getting back to her feet as Attano approaches…as Narcissa starts gouging his eyes!
EYE OF THE BEHOLDER! Narcissa drops Mr. Nobody with that STO, and the tables have turned as the Designer looks to show Attano exactly what’s trending now! She’s locked in an kimura! ARMBREAKER IS THE LATEST TREND! Attano’s struggling to fight out…and gets rolled onto his shoulders! ONE! TWO! THREE!
As hard as Harold Attano fought, he was outplayed by the Designer as Narcissa Balenciaga picks up the win!
WINNER AND ADVANCING: NARCISSA BALENCIAGA
TRACKING
We find ourselves in the Groves, where the Hunter, Luther Grim, is expertly following a trail through the bush and undergrowth. The target he hunts makes enough for him to easily track. A blackened waste of death and decay flows in the direction that he stalks.
Eventually, he stops, looking ahead of himself as he spies that which he is tracking. Nergal. Her hand glides against a sunflower as she glides eerily past. Grim visibly shudders as he watches the sunflower droop almost instantly, its petals beginning to wilt, then fall. The flower blackens as it too joins the decaying trail.
Grim draws a breath, exhaling as he utters a single word under his breath.
“Why?”
Even the slight sound is enough to turn the head of Nergal at an unnatural angle, her eyes piercing right through the decaying trail she had left behind her straight at Luther. But the Hunter is not deterred by her gaze. Instead, he steps towards her and hurls his spear.
It sails through the air, right at her. Just as it hits Nergal, her cloud of locusts surrounds her, filling the air thick with the beating wings of her plight. When the cloud thins, Gemini, and Luthers spear have vanished. Luther remains unsure if his shot claimed its victim, but he is sure of one thing.
Nergal knows he is hunting her.
Cut.
The Scientist and the Kingpin. Which of these two men is going to get that much closer to Ring King?
The match is on and Drexl stalks around the ring as Doom approaches him! Big Slim takes a swing but Doom catches his fist! HEAVY GAUNTLET CLAD FIST TO THE SKULL! Drexl stumbles back and Doom lays into him with a plethora of rights and lefts that puts him to the ropes!
The Scientist whips Drexl across the ring! THE SPLITTER! GORE! NO! Drexl leapfrogs over and bounces off the ropes! SPED DIAL! SOMERSAULT CLOTHESLINE TO DOOM! The Shark begs Doom to get back up before leaping forwards and catching him with an impact DDT! Doom’s face meets the canvas!
Big Slim looks ready to end Doom as he tries to peel him up! HOVER, NO BOTHER! DOOM LEVITATES UP AND CRACKS DREXL IN THE SKULL! The Shark hits the mat and gets immediately picked up for a massive suplex! Doom mounts him and begins pounding away without restraint!
Those gauntlets bust Drexl’s nose! He wraps his hands around his neck! HANDS OF DOOM! HE’S CHOKING THE LIFE OUT OF HIM! Drexl fires away with desperate haymakers! ANGEL TEARS! HE DIGS HIS RINGS INTO DOOM’S EYE! Doom stumbles back as Drexl gets up! IOU- NO! IMPENDING DOOM! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! He Covers! One! Two! Three!
Doom has just gotten one step closer to Ring King!
WINNER AND ADVANCING: DOOM
LIFELINE
Agora.
Arcadia’s marketplace has only begun to recover from the damage incurred by the disappearance of Zeus and Ares’ swift recovery attempts.
But Arcadia is made of strong stock, and they’re beginning to recover from the breaking of their world.
Somewhat like El Mariachi Muerte.
EMM is not here to walk among the symphony he can no longer hear though. He stands in a corner, behind a fruit stand.
Across from a hooded figure, draped in shadow.
“You wished to see me?” EMM asks.
“I bring poor tidings.” The cloaked figure says, their voice a barely restrained monotone. “Dr. Death has located a new Mariachi.”
Muerte’s face falls.
“It was inevitable, I suppose.” He says after a moment. “Who?”
“La Mariachi Vida,” the shadow states. “The Mariachi of Life. You must protect her from him. There are so few Mariachi left. Dr. Death must not succeed.”
EMM’s face falls as he hears this.
“In our youth, she and I were… close.” He says quietly. “If not for our calling, perhaps we could have…”
He trails off, needing to say no more. The cloaked figure offers a nod.
“I come to you at great risk to myself. If Dr. Death learns, in any way, of our speaking and what I have told you, then I will not be able to locate and secure Vida.”
El Mariachi Muerte nods, squaring up.
“I will keep mi amigo busy.”
“And I will find La Mariachi Vida and secure her in a location until you can take charge.”
EMM smiles.
“Thank you, old friend. I appreciate what you’re doing, and know the danger you’ve placed yourself in.”
Without a word, the pair split, going their own separate ways. As the cloaked figure weaves throughout the Agora traffic, she picks up a new tail, one who has had his eyes on the entire exchange.
Dr. Death.
Cut.
Extra, extra! Journalist fights Ferryman! Winner gets one step closer to Ring King!
Tombstone is determined as he forces Colt into a lock up! The Journo struggles to free himself when he gets rocked by a massive headbutt! Tombstone lays him out with a hard clothesline then forces him back up! FERRYMAN’S KNOCK! A SLEW OF UPPERCUTS PUTS RAMSEY ON HIS ASS!
The Ferryman is methodical as he deadlifts Colt! ODE TO CHARON! JACKNIFE- NO! COLT SLIPS BEHIND HIM! B-ROLL! ROLLING CUTTER! Ramsey puts Tombstone in the dirt and quickly capitalizes with a low dropkick as Tombstone sits up! The Journo lays into Tombstone with boot after boot but The Ferryman still rises!
Colt tries to flee BUT YOU CAN’T RUN FROM THE FERRYMAN! BOSS MAN SLAM! Colt gets planted and Tombstone forces him back up before Biel tossing him across the ring! Ramsey gets up in the corner as Tombstone rushes him! PENEDLUM KICK BY COLT! The blow sends Tombstone staggering!
Ramsey takes a wild swing at Tombstone but The Ferryman catches it! He crushes Colt’s hand! AND GRABS HIS THROAT! Colt fights for his life as he grabs at Tombstone’s arm! HEADBUTT BY THE FERRYMAN! He lifts! FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS! CHOKESLAM ONTO HIS KNEES! He covers! One! Two! Three!
The Ferryman claims another soul and gets one step closer to the crown!
WINNER AND ADVANCING: TOMBSTONE
MRS FOLEY'S BABY BOY PART II
Knock Knock!
In the upper echelons of the elite, even the sound of someone knocking a door sounds privileged. When the door opens, there’s an audible gasp.
Doom.
“Mrs. Foley?” He asks, his voice deeper behind the mask.
She nods slowly.
“I’ve come about your son, Felix,” Doom says, folding his arms.
Mrs. Foley thinks about it for a moment and says nothing.
“Do you think I could come inside and have a discussion?” The Scientist asks casually.
She shakes her head.
“My son is a lovely boy. He’s soft, kind, and considerate. He wouldn’t know or purposefully be connected with the likes of you,” she mutters angrily. “I can tell. You’re a bad man.”
Doom nods.
“You’re right, I am. In fact, I haven’t even scratched the surface of what I’m capable of.”
She tries to close the door, but Doom puts his foot in the way, stopping her.
“But your son isn’t a good man either.”
“HELP! HELP!” She roars.
Doom thrusts his hand over her mouth and pushes her back inside her home, following her aggressively. He tosses her down on the floor and turns back to the door, closing it behind him.
We close in on his eyes, watching them intently as the door closes on our face.
Cut.
It’s time for the main event and Jackson Cade and Drewitt have an opportunity to get one step closer to becoming the king of Mount Olympus. Can Perseus turn his luck around, and will the Explorer even show up for this clash?
The lights dim in the arena as the opening of “For the Glory” play throughout the arena. A spotlight shines on the entrance as Jackson Cade slowly begins to rise up from the floor on a platform. He stands at attention for a moment before making his way to the ring.
He stops at the ring steps, turning to salute the crowd before turning back and entering the ring as quickly as he can, taking to his corner and preparing to start his journey towards becoming Ring King.
The guitars of “Dogs of War” begin to play.
“Hmmmmmm, Hmmmmmm”
As the words kick in, a spotlight shines down on the stage.
“Hear the devil callin’
”Hear the devil callin’
”When I hear the devil callin’
”God will pay him for what he’s due”
Drewitt is nowhere to be found. His music continues to play while the referee confers with Cade in the ring.
“See the fields burnin’
“See the fields burnin’
“When I see the fields burnin’
‘”Cause hell is coming through”
IS DREWITT GOING TO FORFEIT HIS FIRST-ROUND MATCH?
“I can’t stop the Dogs of War
“I can’t stop the dogs of War”
The ref signals for the bell to ring before turning his attention to the stage.
“ONE!” he shouts, pointing out of the ring towards the entrance as Cade paces around behind him inquisitively.
“TWO!”
Will Drewitt make it to his match tonight?
The ref rears his arm back and—
BANG!
FLAMES ERUPT FROM AROUND THE ENTRANCE WAY AND FROM THE FOUR RING POSTS!
The ref stumbles back into the center of the ring, frightened, but Cade stoically stands tall, staring at the stage to see who else, but…
DREWITT!!
HE’S CHARRED TO A CRISP, BUT HE’S HERE!!
Drewitt simply adorns a charred metal mask and some tights, a departure from his regular attire, and he’s shedding ash and dust as he angrily lumbers towards the ring! There’s blood all over his chest, as if he’s wiped his mucky bloodied hands all over it. Who’s blood is that? It isn’t his.
The ref meanwhile looks absolutely mortified, and scrambles backwards into Cade, who flexes his wrists in anticipation as Drewitt climbs onto the apron.
It’s notable, as Drewitt steps over the top rope into the ring, that he appears to have changed… it’s almost as if he has been reborn from the flames of incineration. He stares menacingly into the eyes of the ref who trembles as he gets to his feet. Drewitt shakes his head as if to disapprove of the count-out.
As the crowd looks on in anticipation, and curiosity, one thing is for certain:
DREWITT IS ABSOLUTELY FUCKING FURIOUS.
He turns his attention to Cade—
HOSTILE…
CAUGHT BY DREWITT!!!
Drewitt shakes his head at Cade now, holding his foot, and he spins Cade around as he spins in the opposite direction—
BIG DISCUS LARIAT!!
CADE’S NECK MUST BE MADE OF TITANIUM TO WITHSTAND THAT FORCE!!
Drewitt stands over Cade as the crowd watches on. Drewitt adjusts his mask, then brings Cade to his feet, propping him up against the ropes before rearing back—
MASSIVE UPPERCUT!
The crowd oohs as Drewitt nearly knocks Cade over the top rope, but Cade comes back down to earth. Then the explorer viciously whips the Beat Cop into the ropes, so fast that on the rebound Cade can’t react before his face is met with a—
BIG BOOT!
Cade ricochets off the canvas and Drewitt climbs to the top of nearest turnbuckle. He stalks Cade, who grasps his neck and head as he struggles to his feet. Cade turns around, having no idea that this monstrous man is about to take flight—
LEAPING CLOTHESLINE FROM THE TOP ROPE!!
DREWITT CALLS THAT ONE TO THE DEPTHS OF HELL!!
It sounded like a bomb went off in the ring as Drewitt collided with Cade, and the audience let out an audible gasp. He crawls over Cade and hooks a leg, and the ref slides into position—
ONE!
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TWO!!
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BACK TO THE BEAT YOU GO, CADE!!
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NO!!
CADE JUST GETS A SHOULDER UP!!
The ref holds up two fingers and Drewitt gets in his face, intimidating the little fella, and backs him into the corner to argue it was a slow count! He continues jawing at the ref who holds up his arms in defense a few moments before angrily turning his attention back to Cade. He points at him and with the other hand makes a slitting motion across his throat. He raises his arm up and stalks Cade from behind. Cade, looking like he’s been to hell and back, stumbles around right into Drewitt—
GOOZLE!
DREWITT SLAPPED HIS HAND AROUND CADE’S THROAT, AND LIFTS HIM UP—
CADE SLIPPED OUT!
Drewitt furiously turns around right into a series of palm thrusts, shin kicks, and a full-force elbow to the gut that doubles Drewitt over!
Cade hits the ropes and on the rebound sprints right at Drewitt who throws a mean-looking right hand at his opponent’s head—
CADE BASEBALL SLIDES UNDERNEATH HIS LEGS!
IT WAS A MISDIRECTION!
Cade takes a stiff shot at Drewitt’s hamstring, working towards chopping down the tree, and Drewitt howls in pain, grasping at his hind legs while Cade takes a bold shot, yanking Drewitt’s arm towards him—
BULLHAMMER ELBOW!!
INCENDIARY ROUND!!
Drewitt’s dazed, but he’s not knocked down yet! Cade looks to the crowd for support and they start to clap. He sprints to the ropes and back towards Drewitt who has just finally shaken off the cobwebs to locate his opponent—
SLING BLADE!!
BREACH AND CLEAR!!
DOWN GOES DREWITT!!
Cade pounces atop Drewitt’s chest for the cover—
ONE!
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TWO!!
DREWITT TOSSES CADE OFF HIM!!
Drewitt’s eyes are beet red, and he gets to his feet, continuing his menacing stare towards Cade, who back tracks towards the ropes as Drewitt runs full-steam at him…
CLOTHESLINE OVER THE TOP??
NO!!
CADE PULLED THE ROPES DOWN AT THE LAST SECOND!!
Drewitt goes flying out of the ring and lands on the outside with a bone-shattering smack!
Cade is mounting a comeback here, and he’s starting to believe in himself. He stands by the ropes, begging Drewitt to get up as the crowd cheers him on, and as Drewitt gets to his feet Cade grabs the top rope with both hands, and leaps over the top rope—
CROSS BODY PLANCHA!!
CAUGHT BY DREWITT!!
The look of exhilaration on Cade’s face has turned to pure fear as Drewitt holds him across his chest and walks around the outside of the ring. Drewitt clean and jerks Cade over his head up onto his shoulders.
Uh oh.
Cade shakes his head no and the crowd lets out an audible gasp as Drewitt forcefully drops Cade straight down onto his neck on the cold, hard concrete—
TRAVELLER’S GAMBIT!!
BURNING FUCKING HAMMER!!
Everyone in attendance, including the ref, winces as Cade lands with a sickening thud, and Drewitt simply climbs the apron and steps over the top rope before getting into the ref’s face and shouting, “Now you can count!” And right on cue, the ref scurries away from the giant and throws up an arm—
“ONE!”
IN A TWIST OF FATE, DREWITT IS GOING FOR THE COUNTOUT WIN HERE!
“TWO!”
Cade isn’t moving. Is he even breathing?
“THREE!”
Yes, there’s signs of life as Cade begins to stir!
“FOUR!”
But he’s in bad shape, and he’s grasping his neck which may be barely holding on by a thread at this point!
“FIVE!”
Cade is moving to all fours. Meanwhile Drewitt cracks his neck and adjusts his mask, shocked that Cade is even moving right now.
“SIX!”
CADE THROWS HIS ARM UP ON THE APRON! HE’S TRYING TO PULL HIMSELF UP!
“SEVEN!”
THE RESILIENCY OF THIS MAN IS UNCANNY! HE’S ON HIS KNEES NOW, USING ALL HIS STRENGTH TO PULL…
“EIGHT!”
“JACK-SON!”
“JACK-SON!”
“JACK-SON!”
…
“NINE!”
CADE’S FEEDING OFF THE CROWD!
The ref rears back to throw up both hands one final time as Jackson hoists himself up—
CADE MADE IT INTO THE RING!
But now Drewitt stands over him.
GOOZLE!
Drewitt yanks Cade up to his feet, ragdolling him around the ring by his neck as he walks in a circle before stopping and looking to the crowd. He shakes his head in disgust, and lifts—
THREAT CONTAINMENT!!
CADE COUNTERS INTO A DESPERATION KIMURA LOCK!!
Cade wraps his legs into a body scissors around Drewitt and arches his back, taking Drewitt down to the canvas!
CADE’S GOT IT LOCKED IN!!
DREWITT’S ARM IS WRAPPED UP LIKE A PRETZEL, AND HE’S GROANING IN PAIN!!
CADE IS SCREAMING IN DEFIANCE WITH ALL HE HAS LEFT!!
THE REF IS IN POSITION, ASKING DREWITT IF HE GIVES UP!!
Drewitt shakes his head, but Cade yanks back one more time with all his might…
DREWITT’S ARM GOES UP—
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DREWITT TUCKS AND ROLLS FORWARD, PINNING CADE’S SHOULDERS ON THE MAT—
ONE!
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TWO!!
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CADE RELEASES THE KIMURA AND BREAKS THE COUNT!!
The crowd’s hot, Drewitt is grasping at his arm, and Cade grasps his neck as both competitors stagger to their feet. Exhausted, Cade goes for a running knee strike, but Drewitt sidesteps, causing Perseus to miss! Cade quickly spins around—
SUPEKICK!
HOSTILE…
BUT DREWITT’S STILL STANDING!
ANOTHER SUPERKICK!!
HOSTILE…
DREWITT’S STAGGERED, BUT STILL STANDING!!
Cade back steps, and leaps this time with everything he has left—
HOSTILE…
DUCKED!
SLAP!
DREWITT’S MASSIVE HAND IS AROUND THE THROAT OF CADE, AND JACKSON’S LEG IS HUNG UP IN THE PROCESS!!
Drewitt lifts Cade up high…
HE’S GOOZLING HIM WITH ONE HAND IN THE AIR, WALKING IN A CIRCLE AROUND THE RING—
CHOKESLAM!!!
ARDUOUS JOURNEY!!!
Drewitt rests all of his weight on Cade’s shoulders—
ONE!
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TWO!!
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BACK IN YOUR BOX, BOY!!
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THREE!!!
Through Hellfire and Brimstone, Drewitt arrived in style and powered his way to the second round of the tournament!
WINNER AND ADVANCING: DREWITT
HAROLD FUCKING ATTANO
Arcadia PD.
Whilst Jackson Cade is busy in the Main Event, Harold Attano sits in the Police Department behind a large metal table, awaiting a detective to answer his questions.
However, it isn’t a detective who appears – it’s the Sheriff.
“I understand you’re lookin’ for information on the murder of Michaela Attano?” He says, taking a seat behind the desk.
Harold nods.
Mick grabs a folder and lays it across the table. As he does, a picture of Michaela’s body falls out, causing Attano to recoil in disgust.
A surprising response from a man of his nature.
“I’m sorry,” he says, gathering the photograph and placing it back inside, behind pages.
The look of rage on Harold’s face is palpable.
“How much do you want to know?” He asks.
Mr. Nobody looks him dead in his eyes.
“Everything,” he mutters sternly.
Gordon nods back.
“Six years ago, we found Michaela’s body. She was beaten and strangled to death,” Mick says carefully. He looks over the documentation, and peers over his glasses at Harold. “We couldn’t ever tie her murder to a suspect.”
Harold slams his hand down on the desk angrily, stopping the office in its tracks. All attention turns to him as Gordon nods at his officers, asking them to stand down.
“How the fuck did Jackson Cade get a picture to torment me with?” He demands to know.
Mick shuffles in his seat uncomfortably.
“Jackson has proven to be a hot head,” he says carefully. “I can only apologize and add it to the list of complaints we’ve received about him. Believe me, Mr. Attano, we’ll be handling him.”
Mr. Nobody stands up.
“Do you know who I am?” The distraught father says sinisterly.
The Sheriff stands up to meet him at his feet.
“I know precisely who you are, Harold,” he admits. “Don’t do anything hasty, okay? Zeus isn’t here to resolve this and if you act, I will arrest you or put you down where you stand.”
The stern expression on his face suddenly turns to a smile.
Within seconds, he has Mick Gordon face first down on the desk. Two officers rush him, one of which he chops in the throat and tosses into the other. He throws Gordon back over another metal table and turns to another officer with a gun.
BANG!
The shot is fired directly at him, but he sides steps and rushes, sliding in with a knee takedown that drops the officer who attempted to kill him. With a chop to the throat, he’s out of commission.
Attano hops back to his feet, snapping the arm of a punch that comes his way, then using that arm to disarm another officer who pulls his weapon. He kicks out, wrapping the arm around the neck of the person it belongs to and slamming them to the ground.
More officers rush into the scene, pointing guns at Mr. Nobody.
Guns that will kill him before he can move.
He’s surrounded.
“Wait!” A croaky Mick Gordon yells out. “Don’t shoot!”
The Sheriff gets back to his feet and stumbles around the table he was thrown over.
“Take him into custody,” he demands, pointing in his direction.
Suddenly, tasers fly from multiple direction, attaching themselves to Attano and dropping him to his knees. He falls to the ground with a thud, led on his side, his eyes wide with rage as we fade to black.
Cut.